C-MBSR0107 - MBSR Teacher Certification Review
Course Description
The Teacher Certification Review (TCR) is the culminating step in Brown University’s MBSR Teacher Training pathway and offers eligible trainees the opportunity to earn the credential of Brown University Certified MBSR Teacher. As we often say, it is “the final step in a process that is never really over” — marking an important moment of culmination in one’s formal training while also reflecting the ongoing commitment to practice, reflection, and continued development as a mindfulness teacher.
In the TCR, participants submit an extensive teaching portfolio that is thoroughly reviewed and assessed by experienced senior MBSR Teacher-Trainers using the MBI:TAC (Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria), an internationally recognized framework modeled after processes developed at Bangor and Oxford Universities. The review process is both evaluative and developmental, highlighting areas of strength while also identifying learning edges and opportunities for continued growth.
Applicants who demonstrate “Competent” or higher levels across the assessment domains will be awarded MBSR Teacher Certification. In some cases, reviewers may recommend additional mentoring, further study, or future teaching review prior to certification being granted. The TCR process is intended not only to assess readiness for certification, but also to support a lifelong commitment to integrity, self-reflection, and deepening teaching capacity within MBSR.
Certification materials are accepted twice per year:
| Submission Deadline | Review Completed |
|---|---|
| June 30 | September 30 |
| December 31 | March 30 |
Early submission does not guarantee an early review. All submissions are reviewed after the deadline.
Notes
Please do not register for TCR until you have all your materials ready. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
**Payment is due upon submission.**
This course has been approved for 12 continuing education hours.
Prerequisites
To be eligible for Teacher Certification Review, applicants must:
- Have taught at least six (6) standard length MBSR (online or in person) courses; with a minimum of eight (8) participants in each class. No more than one of the six classes can be co-taught.
- Have completed all required courses within the Certificate in MBSR Teaching. If you are unsure, please review the MBSR Certificate Courses or visit our MBSR Teacher Training curriculum page.
- Have completed Individual Mentoring and and received a recommendation from their mentor to proceed to Teacher Certification Review.
- Have attended at least four qualifying retreats.
**If you have specific questions regarding your eligibility or the application process, please email us at mindfulness@brown.edu or schedule an advising session with a Mindfulness faculty member before registering for the Teacher Certification Review:
Technical Requirements and Recommendations
Submission Materials Checklist for Teacher Certification Review
Applicants must submit the following materials:
- A full set of video recordings from a single recent MBSR cycle (Classes 1–8; Orientation and the All-Day Session are not required).
- A written reflective analysis of the submitted course videos that highlights key themes, strengths, and areas for continued growth in your teaching (double-spaced, APA format, maximum 2,500 words). Please note: this is a synthesis of the entire course, not a class-by-class analysis.
- A brief written statement describing your understanding of the ethos and ethics of MBSR (maximum 250 words).
- Copies of the reflection and assessment documents from Individual Mentoring (both mentor and mentee).
- Collateral course materials, including class plans, home practice materials, and guided audio recordings.
- A list of all MBSR courses taught, including dates, number of participants, venue, and whether the course was taught individually or co-taught.
- A current CV or résumé.
Please organize all of the above material and be ready for upload before you begin the application process.
ONLY complete submissions are possible; partial submissions are not allowed.
Also note:
The maximum allowed file size for uploads is 10240 KB.
The file extensions allowed for uploads are: bmp, csv, doc, docx, gif, jpg, mpg, pdf, png, ppt, pptx, txt, xls, xlsx, zip.
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Certificate in MBSR Teaching : MBSR Certificate Courses